"the druid boy has already formed a connection with her — one that cannot be undone."

[1.8 — The Beginning of the End]

Lia was enjoying her morning. After bringing Morgana her sleeping draught, she was invited to sit and join her and Gwen for breakfast. It was nice to sit and talk to them given that the apprentice had been rather busy lately.

"So, I saw that Sir Leon got you flowers the other day," Gwen noted, smiling mischievously at Lia.

Lia's cheeks heated up the slightest bit but she rolled her eyes. "They were just some daisies he picked on the way back from his last patrol," she told them. "It was nothing."

"He hand-picked them instead of buying them?" Morgana asked, unable to hide her grin.

"That's so romantic," Gwen said, sighing.

"Leon is nothing more than a friend," Lia assured them.

Morgana smirked at her. "I heard Arthur was on the patrol with him. How angry do you think he got when he found out who the flowers were for?"

Lia scoffed, but Gwen looked at Morgana, confused. "Why would Prince Arthur be angry? There's nothing wrong with a knight courting an apprentice."

"He is not courting me," Lia insisted, though she was ignored as Morgana continued to gossip.

"Oh, Gwen, I believe our Prince has a crush on sweet little Lia," Morgana revealed.

"Gana, you sound ridiculous," Lia said, ignoring the shocked look Gwen was giving her.

"Oh please, Gwen, just pay attention to Arthur whenever Lia enters the room. He can't take his eyes off her," Morgana said in a teasing tone.

"No, he doesn't. You're obviously making this up," Lia said, not letting herself believe her.

"I don't know. Morgana may be right," Gwen said, smiling. "I remember how he was when Lancelot was here. It didn't make sense as to why he was so mean to him initially, but now I see. Arthur must have been jealous of him."

Lia, whose entire face was red, was tired of being on the receiving end of their teasing smirks. "Morgana, did you know that Gwen kissed Merlin?"

Morgana gasped and turned to face Gwen, who was now looking at Lia with stunned, wide eyes. "Lia!" she hissed.

"Guinevere!" Morgana exclaimed. "When did this happen? You must tell me everything."

Gwen was now the one blushing and she shyly looked down at the table, avoiding eye contact. "It wasn't really a kiss. Just, when he almost died after drinking that poisoned cup for Arthur, I was so relieved that he was alive that I kissed him."

"When he was poisoned? But that was ages ago! Why am I only just hearing about this now?" Morgana complained.

"Maybe because literally nothing has come from it," Gwen mumbled. Lia could detect a bit of annoyance in the girl's tone.

"Something will, though," Lia assured her. "It may just... take time. Merlin's a bit dense when it comes to things like that."

"Also, let's not forget Arthur keeps him far too busy to think about anyone other than Arthur," Morgana added, rolling her eyes. "Of course, he—"

Morgana was cut off by Merlin bursting into the room unannounced. Only, he wasn't alone. There was a very young boy in a green cloak under his arm. They could hear a commotion from the hallway as he shut the door quickly.

"Have you forgotten how to knock, Merlin?" Morgana shouted at the intrusion.

"The guards are after him. I didn't know what to do," he explained breathlessly.

"My Lady?" the guards called, pounding on the door. "My Lady?"

Morgana looked between the door and the boy. As she made eye contact with him, she felt a sudden need to protect him, no matter what he had done. She pointed to a section of her chambers that could be hidden by a curtain. "In there."

Merlin took the boy's hand and pulled him into the small alcove. Then once the curtain was shut, Morgana opened the door for the guards.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, My Lady. We're searching for a young Druid boy. We believe he came this way," the guard explained.

"I haven't seen anyone," Morgana quickly lied. "It's just me, my maid, and the physician's apprentice."

The guards easily believed her. "Best keep the door locked till we find him."

"Of course. Thank you."

Once they were gone, the three girls rushed back to Merlin and the boy, who had collapsed in the servant's arms. Merlin was holding his hand over a deep cut on the boy's arm, which was bleeding deeply.

"Gwen, can you get me some water and a washcloth? And something to wrap around this?" Lia asked, immediately taking the boy from Merlin. "I need to try and stop the bleeding. Once it stops, I can go get better supplies from Gaius."

"You can't tell him—"

"I won't," Lia promised Merlin. "I'll just have to be careful. He keeps a detailed inventory of everything he has."

When Gwen returned with everything Lia had asked for, the apprentice got to work cleaning the boy's wound while putting pressure on it. As she treated him, Morgana and Gwen grilled Merlin about what had happened.

"I - I saw him running from the guards. They had already caught the man he was with," Merlin stuttered out. "I just - I couldn't not help him."

"He's just a child," Lia muttered, brushing some of the boy's hair back.

"The guards called him a Druid," Gwen noted. "I've never heard of such a thing."

"Maybe Gaius will know more about them," Merlin said. He glanced at the boy and frowned. "They're going to execute the man he was with."

"They're already setting up for it in the square," Morgana told them. She had been peering out her window, where she had a direct view of the main square. Merlin joined her side to watch the crowd that was beginning to gather. "Uther's not wasting any time."

And it was true. The execution was set to happen just an hour after the Druid man was caught. They all stayed in Morgana's chambers with the boy, waiting for the execution. Lia stayed by the boy's side to keep tabs on his wound. It had continued to bleed, but thankfully it had slowed down considerably. She knew it would stop soon, but she still had to keep an eye on him.

Just before the Druid man was brought out, Morgana noticed the boy's eyes flutter open. He looked around the room, confused for a moment before he stared at Merlin. They didn't exchange any words, but Merlin nodded to the boy to let him know they would keep him safe.

"Hello," Lia said softly. The boy's large, blue eyes flickered over to her. "My name's Lia. You'll need to be careful not to move your arm. It's badly injured and will take some time to heal."

The boy didn't speak, but he nodded in understanding.

"Does it hurt badly?" she asked next. He simply nodded, wincing as he focused on the pain. "I'll go and get some better supplies and will bring a pain reliever for you. It should help you get some sleep too."

Now that the boy was awake, Lia checked the rest of his vitals. As she did so, the Druid man was escorted to the executioner's stand. Lia did not join Morgana and Merlin by the open window. She could hear Uther just fine and had no wish to stand by and watch him execute the Druid simply for being alive.

"People of Camelot, the man before you is guilty of using enchantments and magic. Under our law, the sentence for this crime is death. We're still searching for his accomplice. Anyone found harboring the boy is guilty of conspiracy, and will be executed as a traitor. Let this serve as a warning to your people," Uther announced. Morgana, Lia, and Merlin shared a worried look, knowing the risk of hiding the boy, but they were willing to take it.

"You have let your fear of magic turn to hate. I pity you," the Druid called out for everyone to hear.

"I can't watch this," Morgana muttered.

She left the window and went to the boy's side, holding him. Lia also grabbed his hand, knowing that what came next would be hard for him. The boy was breathing heavy, dreading the coming death. He shut his eyes and just as the executioner cut off the Druid's head, the boy's magic shattered Morgana's mirror across the room.

Lia and Morgana both flinched but did not let the boy go. They knew his reaction was justified and they would not let themselves be scared just because he lost control for a moment. They would not let Uther's fear of all magic stop them from helping the boy.

| | |

Lia could not rush into the physician chambers, grab what she needed, and flee. Gaius was there when she and Merlin arrived, meaning she had to be a bit sneakier. Though, while they had him, Merlin and Lia took the time to see what Gaius might have known about the boy.

"Do you know much about the Druids?" Merlin asked over lunch.

"Very little. They're very secretive people. Especially now they're being hunted by Uther," Gaius stated. Then he stopped what he was working on and looked sharply at Merlin. "Merlin, please tell me you haven't got yourself mixed up in this."

"Me? No. Mixed up in what?" He answered a bit too quickly for Lia's liking, and Gaius noticed as well.

"For someone with such a big secret, you are a terrible liar," Gaius told him. "Perhaps you should take notes from Lia."

"Well, I haven't done anything," Merlin insisted.

"Merlin," Gaius simply said.

Merlin sighed before glancing at Lia. "I heard the boy calling out. He was nowhere to be seen, but I could hear him like he was inside my mind."

Lia was surprised. She thought that he was going to reveal that they were hiding the boy in Morgana's chambers. Merlin hadn't told her anything about hearing the boy in his head. Considering none of them had heard him speak, it was surprising.

"Yes, I've heard of this ability. The Druids look for children with such gifts to serve as apprentices. While they're searching for this boy, you must be especially careful otherwise it'll be your head on the chopping block," Gaius warned.

"I'm always careful. You know me," Merlin said, smiling.

"Yes, Merlin, unfortunately, I do," Gaius said.

Lia and Merlin shared a look, knowing they definitely couldn't tell Gaius about the boy now.

| | |

Lia had to wait quite some time before Gaius left the physician chambers. As quickly as she could, she filled a basket with bandages, a needle, some thread, pain medication, and a few herbs to help bring his strength back. While she did that, Merlin rushed to the kitchens to sneak off with some extra food for the boy. Then, they made their way back to Morgana's chambers.

"How is he?" Merlin asked as she let them in the room.

"He's sleeping. He's very pale. Lia, he's lost even more blood since you left. I cut up a towel to change the bandages. I hope I did it correctly," Morgana said.

"That's good, Morgana," Lia told her while kneeling by the boy's side. She opened her basket and began pulling out the supplies. "We'll need to change the bandages frequently to prevent infection."

"Has he said anything at all?" Merlin asked. He watched the boy as Lia began to carefully clean the boy's wound.

"Nothing," Morgana said, frowning. "He won't even tell me his name."

"He's probably very scared," Lia said. "With the threat of execution, I wouldn't want to trust anyone with my name either."

Merlin then smiled appreciatively at Morgana. "You know, er, for a moment there earlier, I - I thought you were going to hand us over to the guards."

"I'm glad you have so much faith in me, Merlin," she said, scoffing.

"No, no, sorry," he said, not meaning to have offended her. "Um, I meant, you're the King's ward. You're taking a huge risk helping the boy."

"I wouldn't see an innocent child executed. What harm has he ever done anyone?" she asked, looking back down at him. Lia was preparing the needle and thread to stitch up his arm — they could only hope he stayed asleep through it so that he wouldn't feel the pain.

"Uther believes he has magic, and that makes him guilty," Merlin muttered.

"Uther's wrong," Morgana stated. Lia and Merlin were surprised to see that there was no doubt on her face. Perhaps she was beginning to suspect that her dreams were much more than just dreams.

"You believe that?" Merlin asked.

"What if magic isn't something you choose? What if it chooses you?" Merlin couldn't help the small smile that appeared on his face as Morgana spoke. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing," he said, shaking his head.

"Why are you helping him?" Morgana then asked, watching him carefully.

"It was a spur-of-the-moment decision," Merlin lied. Then he looked to Lia, who was focused solely on stitching up the boy's arm. He flinched a bit in his sleep, but he did not wake. "And Lia would never let harm come to an innocent person, magic or not. She is the kindest soul I know — except when she's bullying me."

"Yes, well, you often deserve it," Lia mumbled, not taking her eyes off her work.

"What do you think we should do with him?" Merlin asked Morgana. "He can't stay here."

"We have to find a way to get him back to his people," Morgana declared.

Lia finished stitching up the boy's wound and started to wrap it in a fresh bandage. As she did, he slowly began to wake up. He looked down at his arm and then eyed her curiously.

"It's a good thing you slept through the stitches," she said softly. Then she reached in her basket and pulled out a small vile, showing it to him. "This is going to help you manage the pain. I must warn you though. It's disgusting. Even the bravest knights of Camelot say it tastes like dirty feet. I bet you're probably braver than them though."

A small, hardly noticeable smile appeared on his face at her joke. But it turned into a grimace when he smelled the remedy. Lia apologized to him before helping him sit up to drink it. She could tell the boy wanted to spit it back up, but he managed to drink it all. After that, it didn't take long for the pain in his arm to fade.

"Better?" Lia asked. The boy nodded and then leaned back into his pillow. Lia smoothed his hair down before gathering her things and placing them back in the basket. She would leave the remaining supplies in Morgana's room in case they needed them again. Then she joined Merlin and Morgana. "He's all stitched up. Now the important thing to watch for is infection."

"What happens if it gets infected?" Merlin asked.

"Just pray that it doesn't. It'll make it much harder for him to recover," she said, sighing. "I have to get back to work, but make sure he eats something and stays hydrated. He's so small and he lost so much blood. It'll take time for his body to replenish it."

"Thank you, Lia," Morgana told her.

"Of course. Come find me if he gets worse."

| | |

Unfortunately, it was the next morning when Morgana did call on Lia. Overnight his condition had taken a turn for the worse. They couldn't even wake him, so Lia and Merlin rushed to Morgana's chambers to check on him.

"He's burning up," Lia said, feeling his warm forehead. "How long has he been like this?"

"Since early this morning," Morgana told her. "Is the wound infected?"

Lia slowly peeled back the bandages and examined the wound. The skin was red and swollen, with puss begging to form in between the stitches. "It's infected. I'll need to go get the medicine to treat it. Merlin, you'll need to distract Gaius for me while I take it."

However, before Lia and Merlin could run off, there was a knock at the door. Merlin quickly moved behind the curtain, which Morgana shut. Then she went to answer the door while Lia hovered behind her. It was Arthur, along with some guards who were on the other side.

"Arthur, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Morgana asked as he entered the room without an invitation.

"Don't get all excited. It's not a social call. I'm looking for the Druid boy. I'm afraid I'm going to have to search your chambers," he told her. Lia nervously glanced at the curtain.

"You're not searching my chambers," Morgana told him.

"Don't take it personally. I have to search the entire castle. It will only take a few minutes," he assured her. Arthur started wandering around the room, which is when he spotted Lia. "Oh, what are you doing here, Lia?"

"I was bringing Morgana her sleeping draught," Lia explained. She moved to the side as Arthur passed her, inspecting Morgana's wardrobe. "Don't let me get in your way."

"I'm not having you mess up my things," Morgana complained.

"I'm not interested in your things. I'm just looking for any evidence that the Druid boy's in the castle," he told her, sighing.

"Perhaps the Druid boy's hiding in your chambers. They're usually such a mess, you'd never know," Morgana teased.

"It's hardly my fault I have such a lazy idiot for a servant," Arthur said, which made Lia smile.

"If you can't even find your own servant, what hope do you have of finding the boy?" Morgana asked, annoyed that he was still here.

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Really, I'm touched by the confidence you have in my abilities. And, as much as I'd love to stay and talk, the sooner we get started, the sooner we'll be finished."

"Well, I'll save you the trouble," she said.

Arthur wasn't so much searching at that point — he was too busy swiping fruit off of Morgana's breakfast plate. "Trust me, if I could find him, I would."

"The Druid boy's hiding behind the screen," Morgana suddenly said.

Lia looked at Morgana with wide eyes while Arthur glanced at the red curtain suspiciously. Morgana smirked at him from across the room.

"I'm sure your father would love to know how you wasted your time by rifling through my things. Go on," Morgana taunted. Lia giggled, realizing what she was doing. Now there would be no way he would check behind the curtain.

Arthur glanced at Lia when he heard her laughing at him, which put him in a foul mood. He put his hands on his hips and gave Morgana an unimpressed look. "So you can have the satisfaction of making me look a fool?"

"In my experience, you don't need any help looking like a fool. I'm sure Lia can attest to that as well," Morgana said, grinning. "What are you waiting for? Take a look."

"Why don't you go back to brushing your hair, or whatever it is that you do all day?" he asked, giving up. He sighed before storming out of Morgana's room, unknowingly leaving behind the Druid boy.

"Bye, Arthur. Good luck with the search," Morgana teasingly called.

| | |

Once the coast was clear, Lia and Merlin headed back to the physician chambers to get the medicine for the boy. While Lia bottled the antibiotic she needed, Merlin riffled through the herbs that Lia requested to help bring his fever down. They got what they needed, but before they could leave, Gaius entered the room.

"Ah, there you are," he said, looking at Merlin. He missed Lia who hid her basket of supplies behind her back. "I need you to pick some heather for me."

"Can I do it later? I was just going out," Merlin said.

Gaius walked over to his workbench, where Merlin had left out some of the herbs he forgot to clean up. "Who left these out? Has someone got a fever?"

"Oh, it was me," Merlin said. "I, uh, I was asking Lia to tell me about their different properties. I must have forgotten to put them away."

"Oh?  I'd given up hoping you might take more of an interest in my work," Gaius said, surprised.

"No. It's fascinating," Merlin quickly lied. Lia smiled as he faked interest in something he hated so much.

"Merlin, you are a riddle wrapped up in a mystery," Gaius said, easily believing him. It was shocking which lies Gaius would believe and which ones he wouldn't.

"That's me. I was just getting some cleaning supplies. Arthur's been complaining about the state of his chambers," Merlin told him, trying to leave. Lia moved to follow him out.

"I think Arthur's chambers can wait," Gaius told him. "We're not missing the chance to begin your education."

"Really. I should go," Merlin insisted.

"Nonsense," Lia said, grinning. "You were so excited about learning earlier. I'll go explain to Arthur why you're late while making my deliveries."

Merlin gave her an annoyed look as Gaius forced him into a chair. "We'll start with some basic anatomy."

"Have fun," Lia said before slipping out the door.

She went as fast as she could without looking suspicious to Morgana's room. Once she was let in, she rushed to the boy's side. He was in a dazed state, his eyes only half-open.

"Where's Merlin?" Morgana asked her while Lia pulled out her medicine.

"Held up with Gaius," she said, chuckling at his misfortune. Lia started applying a thick paste to the boy's wound while Morgana watched nervously over her shoulder. "But I've got everything I need. He'll be better in a day or two."

"I'll get you some more water," Morgana offered, leaving the two of them alone.

"Thank you, Illyria Lytar." Lia froze her movements when she heard a voice inside her head. She looked at the boy, realizing that he had spoken in her head just like Merlin had described.

"You know who I am?" Lia asked in a soft whisper. She didn't want Morgana to overhear.

"All Druids know of you. Your kingdom was a home to all like us," he spoke in her head. "You and Emrys will bring peace to Albion."

"Emrys?" she muttered in confusion at the odd name. However the boy didn't elaborate for her, and his eyes slowly closed once more. "Speak to me, please."

"I don't know if he can't speak," Morgana said. Lia hadn't even realized she had returned with the water, only hearing the last thing that Lia had asked the boy. "Or he's just too scared to."

Lia finished treating the boy, making him down another horrible tasting concoction. Then she put fresh bandages around his arm and put a wet cloth over his forehead to help with the fever.

"I'll be back first thing in the morning to check on him," she told Morgana. "If the fever breaks by morning, then he'll be fine."

When Lia left Morgana's chambers, Merlin was waiting for her outside. He leaned off the wall and quickly fell into step with her.

"How is he?" he asked nervously.

"I think he'll survive," Lia said hopefully. "How was your science lesson with Gaius?"

Merlin groaned and rolled his eyes. "I can't believe you subjected me to that torture."

"I only wish I had been there to see your face during it all," she said, grinning.

As they walked through the castle, they passed a group of guards who were relentlessly searching the castle well into the night. They both grew worried. The longer that the boy stayed in Morgana's chamber, the more likely they were to be caught.

"I'm going to go and ask the Great Dragon about him," Merlin whispered to Lia. "Want to come with?"

Lia agreed. She wanted to know more about the boy in hopes that they could help him. Once he was well, they needed to get him back to his people, and perhaps the dragon could help them. They quickly snuck past the guards and made their way down the tunnel that led to the Great Dragon's cave.

"Hello?" Merlin called out. The Great Dragon suddenly roared and climbed around the corner of the cave. Lia jumped back, startled by his sudden appearance. Merlin sighed in annoyance. "Do you have to do that? You scared the life out of us."

The Great Dragon flew over to the rock across from them. "The young warlock. And I see you've brought the Princess back. No doubt you're here about the Druid boy."

"How did you know?" Merlin asked him.

"Like you, I hear him speak," the Great Dragon revealed.

"Who is Emrys?" Lia couldn't help but ask. "He said that name in my head."

"Emrys is Merlin's name."

Merlin shook his head, just as confused as Lia. "I'm pretty sure my name's Merlin. Always has been."

"You have many names," the Great Dragon said.

"Do I? How does the boy know who I am?" Merlin asked him. "I've never even met any Druids."

"And how did he know about my family? He wasn't even alive when Lórien fell," Lia added.

"There is much written about you both that you have yet to read. You should not protect this boy," he declared.

"What?" Lia asked in disbelief.

"Why?" Merlin asked, just as surprised. "He has magic. He's just like me."

"And he's only a child," Lia said.

"You and the boy are as different as day and night," the Great Dragon told Merlin.

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"Heed my words, Merlin."

"Why should we not protect him?" Merlin tried to ask again.

However, instead of giving them an answer, the dragon flew off, leaving them alone with more questions than they had before they arrived.

| | |

"Would one of you like to tell me why numerous remedies and herbs are missing from my inventory?"

Lia and Merlin had been sitting at a table and eating breakfast. However, they both froze when Gaius turned to look at them accusingly.

"Morgana's hiding the Druid boy in her chambers," Merlin suddenly blurted out. Lia turned to look at him with wide eyes.

Gaius' jaw dropped and he slowly walked up to them. "When you say that Morgana's hiding the Druid boy, I take that means that you're helping her? Both of you?"

"Sort of," Lia muttered, looking down at the table. She didn't want to be on the receiving end of his judgemental look.

"Merlin, you promised me that you wouldn't get involved," he scolded.

"I know. I'm sorry. I had no choice," Merlin said.

"Every guard in Camelot is searching for this boy, and you're harboring him under their very noses. Can't you see how dangerous that is? What were you thinking of?" Gaius fussed.

"Was I supposed to hand him over to the guards to be executed?" Merlin asked.

"You think you can save this boy? What happens if you're caught? Who's going to save you?"

"You're saying it's wrong to harbor a young magician?" Merlin shot back.

Gaius paused, sighing heavily. He could see where Merlin was coming from, but it simply wasn't the same. "The difference is, Merlin, that your magic is still secret. Though it's a wonder how, considering how careless you are."

"The boy's hurt," Lia said, trying to take Gaius' anger off Merlin. "He was really sick, but I treated him. His fever broke this morning and the infection is getting better. He'll be out of the castle soon."

"You shouldn't have helped him. It's far too dangerous," Gaius said, shaking his head.

"I could not just let him die. Not only is it my duty as a healer, but he's an innocent child," Lia told in an unwavering tone. "You did not turn your back on Merlin just as I will not turn my back on the boy."

She didn't care about what the Great Dragon said. Lia would not let the boy be harmed.

| | |

Later that day, Merlin, Lia, Morgana, and Gwen set out to the town, trying to figure out an escape route to take the boy. He was already much stronger, meaning they could get him back to his people. The only problem was that guards were swarming the streets and they covered every exit from Camelot.

"The guards are searching everyone leaving the town," Gwen observed.

"There is another way out. There's a secret door in the armory. It leads to the lower town," Merlin explained. "I'll take the boy out that way."

"No. It's too dangerous. I'll do it," Morgana said. They were all surprised that she'd risk being caught by the guards.

"But I - I'm good with secret doors and things," Merlin told her.

"Morgana, if you're caught, there's no telling what Uther would do to you," Lia warned.

"And if Merlin is caught, Uther will execute him," Morgana said. "The boy's my responsibility. I'll smuggle him out of the castle."

"Well, you'll need a key for the door," Merlin told her.

"Who has it?" she asked.

"Arthur."

"Great," Lia muttered.

| | |

Lia was sitting by the boy's side as Morgana was changing into one of Gwen's dresses. Hopefully, it would help her not to be noticed.

"It'll have to do," Morgana said, looking over her appearance in the broken mirror. Then she sighed and turned to Gwen. "I feel I've put you in danger without ever stopping to ask how you feel about it. I'm sorry."

"I know how it feels to face the threat of execution," Gwen reminded her. "And I wouldn't wish that on anyone."

There was a knock on the door. "It's Merlin."

Gwen went to let him in while Morgana joined Lia and the boy.

"We're going to get you out of Camelot. I won't let anything bad happen to you. I promise," Morgana assured him. The boy looked between Morgana and Lia and smiled his first real smile.

"Are you ready?" Merlin asked, walking over to them.

Morgana nodded while standing back up. "Did you get the keys?"

Lia noticed how Merlin's eyes lingered on the boy for a moment. She knew he was likely thinking of the warning from the Great Dragon. "Yeah. The door is behind the shield at the far end of the armory."

"I'll pack you some food and water for the journey," Gwen said. "Be careful."

"And I've fixed a package of medical supplies," Lia added. Then she looked at the boy. "You'll need to keep taking the remedy to fight off the infection. Though I'm sure that once you are back home, they'll have you good as new."

The plan was set in motion. When it grew late, Morgana took Mordred and they snuck through the castle to not be seen. As they found the secret exit, Lia, Merlin, and Gwen waited in Gwen's house with the supplies to give to them once they got out of the castle.

"I hope they're okay," Gwen worried. "Morgana really cares about the boy. I've never seen her this way with anyone."

"I'm sure she just wants to protect him," Merlin said. Though he knew why Morgana cared so much for him. She was beginning to suspect that she had magic and the boy was Morgana's only connection to it.

Suddenly the warning bells began to sound through the city. Merlin looked out the window while Gwen and Lia both paced the floor, worried that they had been caught.

"They're coming," Merlin told them, spotting Morgana and the boy heading their way.

As soon as they reached the house, Gwen handed Morgana the bundle of supplies. "There's enough food and medicine for three days."

"Your horse is fed and watered. I'll take you to it," Merlin said.

"No. There's no point in all of us risking our lives," Morgana said, refusing their help.

"What about you?" Lia asked, worried that she'd be caught.

"I'm the King's ward. I'll take my chances."

"Morgana!" Gwen protested.

"I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to any of you. We must go." Morgana took the boy's hand and led him out of the house. As he passed, Merlin and Lia heard his voice in their heads.

"Goodbye, Emrys. Goodbye, Illyria."

| | |

The plan had failed. Arthur and the guards had tracked down Morgana and the boy. Uther was furious when he found out his ward was hiding the Druid, but at least he hadn't thrown her in the dungeon with the boy, who was to be executed the next day.

Once Uther had dismissed Morgana, she returned to her chambers, where Merlin and Lia were waiting for her. All of their spirits were down knowing that the boy was going to die. They had been so close to saving him.

"I promised that I wouldn't let anything bad happen," Morgana said, sounding broken.

"You can't blame yourself. You tried your best," Merlin told her.

"It's not enough," she said, her voice cracking. Morgana was near tears over what was happening.

"He's in jail now. There's nothing more we can do," he muttered. Merlin wasn't sure how to feel, still conflicted about whether the boy being caught was a bad thing.

"I will not let him die," Morgana declared, walking up to them. "Can I count on your help?"

Merlin hesitantly nodded before Morgana turned to Lia. "Of course," she said, smiling. "Anything you need."

"Thank you," she said. "Lia, come with me."

"Where are we going?" Lia asked as Morgana quickly led her from the room.

"We're going to need Arthur."

Lia felt a bit uncomfortable waiting in Arthur's room for him to arrive. Both she and Morgana took a seat at his dining table. It was not long before he arrived after having spoken with his father about the execution.

"Make yourself at home," he muttered, eyeing Morgana. He was still rather annoyed with her.

"You can't let your father execute the boy," Morgana told him.

"You're lucky he's not executing you. Are you telling me he really was behind the screen when I came to search your chambers?" Arthur asked angrily. Morgana only nodded in response, making him scoff. "And you've brought Lia into this? Father would have her killed if he found out!"

"It was a risk she was willing to take," Morgana spoke for her. Arthur looked at Lia expectantly, who nodded softly, confirming the answer. "I know you believe your father's wrong to execute him."

"What I believe doesn't matter. My father's made up his mind. He won't be talked out of it. I tried," Arthur told them, already giving up hope.

"Then the time for talking is over," Morgana said angrily, standing from her chair.

"Whatever you're thinking, it's not going to happen," he told her.

"We have to get the boy back to his people," she insisted.

"No. Forget it."

"So you're just going to let an innocent child die?" Lia asked. Arthur swallowed thickly, wishing he could do something to make the tears welling in her eyes disappear.

"I have no choice, Lia," he said, sighing. "It's too late. He's been caught."

"And is this how you will rule when you are King?" Morgana asked, narrowing her eyes. "You're not like your father."

"I will not betray him," Arthur said, not meeting Morgana's gaze.

"If I know you at all, you won't stand by and let this happen. Please. If you won't do this for the boy, then do it for me," she pleaded. When Arthur did not move, she stepped closer and whispered so that the apprentice seated at the table could not hear. "Do not make Lia watch an innocent child die."

Arthur sighed before glancing back at Lia. It was cruel on Morgana's part, but it got her what she wanted. There was something inside of Arthur that wouldn't let him let Lia down. She nervously bit down on her lip, waiting for his answer.

"We're gonna need a plan," he said after a moment. It probably should have worried Arthur that he was ready to commit treason against his father just to make Lia happy, but the grin that adorned her face was worth it.

The three of them circled around the table and quickly got to work trying to figure out how to save the boy. It was not long though before Merlin entered Arthur's chambers and caught them planning.

"Sorry. Was I interrupting something?" he asked.

"Nothing you need concern yourself with. Go make yourself useful. Muck out my horses," Arthur ordered, wanting him gone.

"I trust Merlin," Morgana told him.

Arthur looked between Morgana and Merlin for a moment before motioning for Merlin to enter. He moved to stand behind Lia's chair. "We're going to break the Druid boy out of the dungeons," Arthur told Merlin.

"You can't do that," Merlin said quickly.

Lia and Morgana looked at Merlin, surprised by his change of heart. "We have to. Uther's going to execute him at dawn," Morgana reminded him.

"I mean... it's too dangerous. You've already been caught once, and if the King catches you a second time he'll never forgive you," Merlin explained.

"I'm not worried for myself," Morgana said.

"Merlin's right," Arthur agreed. "When my father finds out the boy's escaped, he will suspect you of being involved."

"It's suicide," Merlin added.

"You must go to my father and apologize. Dine with him. He cannot hold you responsible if you're with him when the boy escapes," Arthur told her.

"You need me if the plan's to work. You can't do this on your own," Morgana argued.

"Merlin will take your place."

"Me?" Merlin asked, looking at Arthur surprised.

Arthur got up to explain what they had planned so far. "I'm going to take the boy out through the burial vaults. There's a tunnel that leads beyond the city walls. Lia will get horses from the stables and meet us there. She's to come with me and the boy to the Druids so that he has a familiar face. There's a grate that covers the entrance to the tunnel. Bring a rope and a grappling hook to pull it off," he instructed.

"No, I can't—"

"Merlin," Lia said softly. She reached for his hand to hold. "If you don't get the grate off, Arthur will be caught."

Lia knew why Merlin was on the fence about the plan. He hadn't been able to brush off the Great Dragon's warning as easily as Lia, despite the fact that the boy was just a child. But he also knew that he couldn't let Arthur get caught breaking the boy out.

Merlin squeezed Lia's hand before nodding.

| | |

When Merlin returned to the dragon's cave, he was alone. Lia was too busy preparing the supplies for her and Arthur's journey to the Druids. Merlin had to be sure that he was doing the right thing by helping him, so he traveled back under the castle to try and get some more answers about the boy.

"I need to know why you told me not to protect the boy," Merlin asked as soon as he spotted the creature perched on the rock.

"You seek my counsel and yet you choose to ignore it," the Great Dragon said.

"Just tell me why."

"If the boy lives, you cannot fulfill your destiny," he revealed.

"What's he got to do with my destiny?" Merlin asked, confused by his answer. "You said it's my destiny to protect Arthur."

"Then you have the answer you seek," he said.

Merlin froze and his face fell in disbelief. "You're telling me that little boy is going to kill Arthur?"

"It seems that is up to you."

"No," Merlin said, shaking his head. "You can't know that for certain."

"You have it in your power to prevent a great evil," the Great Dragon told him.

"There must be another way! The future isn't set in stone," Merlin insisted.

"You must let the boy die," he ordered.

"How am I meant to tell Lia she has to let a little boy be executed?" he asked. Merlin couldn't even begin to imagine how hurt Lia would be from the new knowledge.

"I'm afraid that telling Illyria will have no effect on her decision to protect the boy," the Great Dragon said. "The Druid boy has already formed a connection with her — one that cannot be undone."

| | |

Gaius was surprised that Lia was not joining himself and Merlin for dinner. Of course, she was off getting ready to break the boy out of the dungeons, but Merlin had to lie and say she was eating dinner at Gwen's house. Merlin felt horrible for lying, especially because he had already made up his decision.

"I assume it's the plight of the Druid boy that's causing your forehead to wrinkle like a lizard's elbow," Gaius commented.

"Would you let something terrible happen if it meant you'd stop something even worse happening in the future?" Merlin asked. He needed someone, anyone, to justify his actions.

"I suppose it depends on what the 'terrible' and 'even worse' things were," Gaius said.

"One of them's bad — really bad. And the other, it's... unthinkable," Merlin muttered. He couldn't imagine a world where Arthur was dead.

"It sounds as if you've already made your decision," Gaius noted. "You can only do what you believe to be right, Merlin. I just hope it doesn't involve you putting yourself in terrible danger."

"For once, you don't have to worry. I'm going to do nothing."

Lia would forgive him. It would take some time, and it would no doubt turn into the biggest fight of their lives, but the alternative was much too horrendous. Eventually, Merlin hoped that Lia would come to see that.

| | |

The boy was quite surprised to see the Prince of Camelot open his cell without the guards present. He worried that his execution had been moved to the middle of the night.

"Don't be scared. I've sent word to your people, I'm taking you to them. You must come with me," Arthur said, holding out his hand.

The boy, knowing he didn't really have another option, took Arthur's hand and they ran out of the dungeon. With a torch in hand, Arthur led them down a tunnel quickly — it wouldn't be long before the guards woke up and started following them. Once they reached the grate at the end of the tunnel, the both of them grabbed the bars and searched for Merlin, who had yet to remove the grate.

"Merlin. Merlin!" Arthur whispered into the darkness. However, the servant was nowhere to be seen. Arthur glanced at the boy, trying to reassure him. "Don't worry, he'll be here."

Suddenly, someone ran up to the bars, but it wasn't Merlin. Lia crouched down and looked at the both of them with a worried look.

"Where the hell is Merlin?" Arthur asked.

"I - I haven't seen him," she said, frowning. She looked around but did not see him approaching. Then she forced a comforting smile on her face as she looked at the boy. "Everything's gonna work out fine."

Then the warning bells began to sound, meaning they had discovered the boy was missing. Arthur pounded against the metal bars, trying to get them to come loose. Lia tugged on them from the other end, but they would not budge — they needed the grappling hook.

"Damn it, Merlin!"

Arthur quickly put out the torch and he watched the end of the tunnel carefully. It would only be a matter of time before the guards found them. Arthur was looking around, trying to find a way out, but there was none.

Arthur could see shadows in the distance and he knew it would not be long. He turned back to the grate and faced Lia. He put his hand over hers on the bars, which she was still hopelessly tugging on. Her movements stilled at the contact.

"You have to run," he whispered.

Lia shook her head. "No. No, I'm not leaving either of you."

"Lia, if you are caught with us, my father will kill you. I need you to go," Arthur pleaded.

Lia could see the fear in the boy's eyes as tears gathered in her own. The boy reached a small hand through the bars and grabbed Lia's tightly. "I'm not leaving you alone."

Arthur's face fell, but he knew she would not change her mind. He turned back to the entrance of the tunnel. They could hear the guards nearing. His only option left was to move the boy behind him and pull out his sword. They would not take the boy without a fight.

And then Merlin appeared. Lia let out the breath she didn't realize she had been holding when he joined her side.

"Where the hell have you been?" Arthur whispered angrily at him.

"I had trouble getting out of the castle," he said breathlessly. Both Lia and the boy narrowed their eyes at him. He was lying, Lia just didn't know why.

"Well, get this grate off," Arthur ordered. "They're coming!"

Lia scrambled to her feet and backed away as Merlin attached the grappling hook to the bars. Then she helped Merlin pull the grate off. The guards surely must have heard the noise, so they all ran to where Lia had the horses saddled and waiting. Lia climbed on herself before Merlin lifted the boy onto the horse in front of her.

"If my father asks where I am, I've gone on a hunting trip," Arthur explained, grabbing the reins of his own horse. "You'd better make yourself scarce, or they'll execute you in his place."

Arthur, Lia, and the boy rode all throughout the night. They needed to hurry so that Arthur could be back before it seemed suspicious. Eventually, they made it to the meeting spot about an hour before the sun was set to rise.

Arthur quickly got off his horse and helped the boy down from Lia's horse. Then he grabbed her by the waist and lifted her off. The boy tightly grabbed Lia's hand as they walked through the trees. They spotted three men wearing cloaks that must have been the Druids.

The boy looked up at Lia, who smiled encouragingly at him. Then he let go of her hand and walked back to his people.

"We are forever indebted to you, Arthur Pendragon, for returning the boy to us. And you as well," one of the men said. Lia assumed he was the leader of the group, and she was thankful that he did not use her full name as the boy had in her head.

"You must not let it be known that it was I who brought him to you," Arthur told them. He couldn't risk word getting back to his father.

"We will tell no one. You have my word," the Druid man promised.

Before the group of Druids could return home, the boy rushed forward and surprised them all by hugging Lia tightly. "I'm glad you're safe now," she said softly. "And something tells me we will meet again."

The boy smiled and nodded before going back to the Druids. The leader put a hand on the boy's shoulder and they turned to leave.

"Wait, we don't even know your name," Arthur called, regaining their attention. "At least tell me your name."

The boy looked to the leader, as if asking permission. "It's all right," he assured him.

"My name is Mordred," the boy, Mordred, answered. Lia grinned, happy to have a name for him.

"Good luck, Mordred," Arthur said, nodding to him.

As the Druids disappeared into the trees, Lia heard the voice of their leader in her head.

"We shall not forget this, Illyria Lytar."

Lia walked back to the horses with a small smile on her face. "We did it," she said with a little skip in her step.

There was something contagious about Lia's grin, and Arthur smiled as well. "I'm happy you're pleased."

"Morgana will be too," Lia said as they reached the horses. "Arthur, we couldn't have done this without you. You risked so much. Thank you."

"You risked even more," he reminded her. "Morgana and I get scolded for things like this. But you were prepared to die for him. Why is that?"

Lia looked down at the grass, deciding to be as honest as she could without bringing herself trouble. "I don't care that Mordred has magic. In fact, I don't care about most things that have magic so long as they aren't doing harm. Mordred can not help who he is, and I believe that no one deserves to die for who they are."

"That's a dangerous way to think in Camelot."

"Is it so wrong to see the good in people?" she asked, still looking at the ground. She didn't want to see if he was angry with her — after all, he was raised by a man that would've had her banished for thinking such things.

Gently, Arthur lifted Lia's chin so that she would look at him. He did not look angry, she discovered, in fact, the look Arthur gave her could've been described as endearing. It was an intimate moment that certainly would've been ruined had someone stumbled upon them. They were standing close, gazing into each other's eyes while Arthur held her face.

"You have a kind heart, Lia. Be sure to keep it guarded."